Hoppin' John

Yield:	8 Servings
Categories:

2	cn	Black eyed peas; drained
1		Onion; chopped
1	c	Chopped celery
4		Cloves garlic; minced, up to 5
3 3/4	c	Vegetable broth
1		Bay leaf
1 1/2	ts	Salt or to taste
1/2	ts	Pepper or to taste
2 3/4	c	Uncooked long grain brown rice
1		Red bell pepper; finely diced, (can sub green pepper also)
		Liquid hot pepper sauce or hot pepper vinegar; (optional)